In above table, links from the State name display the First of State Duck Stamp image.
Links from Species of waterfowl display First of State Duck Stamp design Print image.

The Federal Duck Stamp program began in 1934 with a mandatory $1.00 conservation stamp required of all waterfowl hunters age 16 and up. The money raised goes to protect waterfowl. California was the first state to have its own State duck stamp beginning in 1971. Hawaii was, appropriately, the 50th state to pass the required legislation. As time went on, most First of State Duck Stamp Print prices shot up quickly and held their value, while some have gone up and come back down. In general, prices for prints in the more popular state programs have remained strong. Some states no longer produce an annual duck stamp, having switched to a computer-generated stamp equivalent that no longer shows any type of artwork on its face.

NOTE: These are NOT All-Time High Evaluation prices by any means! Update Examples? 1972 Iowa First of State Duck Stamp Print (by 5-time Federal Duck Stamp Winning Artist Maynard Reece) was issued at $60.00 plus $1.00 for a matching mint stamp. About 1996, these 2 items still in mint condition were appraised at $11,000.00 (investment return of 17,033%)! The 1974 Maryland First of State Duck Stamp Print (designed by a less notable wildlife artist) cost the same $61.00 and was valued up to $7,600.00. Today, the current appraisal prices for Iowa and Maryland First of State Duck Stamp Prints are $10,000.00 (16,293% return) + $6,000.00 (9,736% return) respectively. Supply and demand is a factor. Early state programs issued ONLY 500 Signed & Numbered (Regular Edition) prints, whereas States that took longer to pass legislation authorizing release of their own waterfowl conservation stamp usually offered several different print editions. A full set of all 50 signed and numbered prints and 50 matching stamps (average cost: $123.25) is very difficult to collect and is worth $75,000.00!